Former Tyson chief dies

Former CEO and chairman of US meat giant Tyson Foods, Don Tyson, has passed away at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

Tyson, who was the son of Tyson Foods, Inc founder John W Tyson, and father of current company chairman John H Tyson, died on 6 January, 2011. He led the company for 28 years from 1967 to 1995, after taking over from his parents who died in a car/train accident.

Current president and CEO Donnie Smith said: "Don was known by all to work hard, but also to play hard. He was famous the world over for his 'No Bad Days' outlook on life, and well known for telling everyone that 'I don't have time to have a bad time'. Don's passing will be mourned by all who knew him, especially his family, his countless friends, and business leaders and associates in Arkansas, across the country and around the world."

Tyson oversaw the company's growth through the 1970s and 1980s, with a series of acquisitions including Val-Mac, Lane Poultry and the 1989 purchase of Holly Farms, which more than doubled the size of the company and made it the largest poultry producer in the country.